A Moscow Holiday Retreat By Oleg Klodt Architecture & Design

Oleg Klodt Archictecture & Design Creative Director Anna Agapova originally studied Urban Planning at Moscow State University, where she took supplementary classes in the field of lighting technology, specialising in urban electrification.After working on the development of decorative and technical lighting projects, she expanded her focus by working on the design of residential and commercial interiors. Joining the Oleg Klodt Architecture & Design team in 2007, she now holds thee the Creative Director position and the Studio today employs over 60 staff. Along with her responsibilities within the senior management of the company, her work also includes the design concepts of all our ongoing projects and here Anna share one of her favourite projects with The LuxPad…

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

Project name: The Vodniy Apartment, Moscow

Floor Area: 160sqm

Project time taken: 1.5 years

Completion of Project: Spring 2015The brief:

Built on the banks of a large reservoir in northern Moscow, the Vodniy ‘stadium’ – a popular recreational spot during the mid-20th century – has undergone extensive transformation to become an exclusive weekend destination once more. Oleg Klodt Architecture & Design was commissioned to create a luxury apartment within the complex as a private retreat for the client’s family to enjoy relaxing weekends away from their hectic city life. The new interior is an interpretation of contemporary Parisian style, from which the apartment differs by virtue of its subdued, almost Nordic finishes such as simply painted walls and honey-toned oak flooring. The panoramic windows of the apartment look out to stunning views of the reservoir and this provided the architectural inspiration for the design.

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

What was the creation / planning process:

The first thing was to start bouncing ideas off of the clients. We are used to sitting down to discuss everything with them, starting off with their life, work, personality – to understand who they really are, and what is important for them. Only after this step can we start forming an idea of what kind of approach would suit them, what style and what preferences they have.

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

How did the project go:

The location was transformed during the process of the project. Where there had previously been offices, we completely reworked the floor-plan design. We raised the level of the ceilings, exposed the full construction of the metal beams, thus creating more interior space. The master bedroom is arranged so that on waking, the occupants are greeted by the sight of the sky reflected on the water’s surface. The single-level apartment is adjoined by a tower, in which we have added a two-storey children’s zone. The superb views from the panorama windows makes it possible to pare down the use of materials with wooden floors, and simply-painted walls

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

What was your favourite room or part of the project and why?

I adore everything about this project, with its personal atmosphere and design approach. I think I’m most proud of the living room. I really enjoyed sitting at the table, watching the water through the huge windows! It is difficult to realize you are in a metropolis like Moscow as the whole residence was designed in harmony with nature. Anyone who has ever visited this apartment loved it!

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

Image courtesy of Oleg Klodt

Were there any issues or problems you encountered during the project?

Everything went very smoothly and simply from the work point of view. The main request from the clients was to create a relaxing atmosphere – something which we easily organised with the combination of the unusual room items, light and textures. The property owners have long been clients of ours, for whom we had designed a central Moscow apartment five years ago – which meant that we had already earned their complete trust for this new project. The bright and spacious contemporary interiors worked out just perfectly

Jane Pople Jane has over five years of experience writing about interiors and the design industry. Favoring emerging designers and new talent, she loves interviewing people for The LuxPad. She has a penchant for Scandi & Industrial interior styles and loves leopard print.